Outline

Tennessee William’s A Streetcar Named Desire v. The Glass Menagerie

o Paragraph 1: Introduce Tennessee Williams and his two books along with my topic

a) One to Two sentences about Tennessee Williams

b) One to Two sentences about my books

c) General introduction of my argument about women’s roles in the family/house.

o Paragraph 2-3: Comparisons between each book

a) Show the similarities of how Blanche and Stella are treated/viewed in A Streetcar Named Desire compared to how Laura and Amanda are treated/ viewed in The Glass Menagerie.

b) "'Pig—Polak—disgusting—vulgar—greasy!'—them kind of words have been on your [Stella's] tongue and your sister's too much around here! What do you two think you are? A pair of queens?"

c) "Resume your seat, little sister – I want you to stay fresh and pretty – for gentlemen callers!" (1.14, Amanda).

d) "No, dear, you go in front and study your typewriter chart. Or practice your shorthand a little. Stay fresh and pretty! - It's almost time for our gentlemen callers to start arriving. [She flounces girlishly toward the kitchenette] How many do you suppose we're going to entertain this afternoon?" (1.35, Amanda).

e) Stanley doesn’t give me a regular allowance, he likes to pay bills himself. (4.79)

o Paragraph 4-6: Analyze each source

a) “The characters in A Streetcar Name Desire are accurate representations of the social historical context as well as direct links to Williams’ own life, seen in
characters such as Stanley and Blanche who are closely linked to
Williams’ abusive father and mentally ill sister.” (Gender roles in A Streetcar Named Desire)

b) “Women, portrayed often with great sympathy, are at the same time fragile and strong, attractive and repulsive. Amanda's husband has long since deserted the family, but she attempts to keep her children up to the social level to which she aspires.” (Tennessee Williams)